Extremist group Bodu Bala Sena held a rally in Aluthgama on Sunday. Its leader, Galagodaaththe Gnanasara, questioned the heavy police presence in the area. “This country still has a Sinhalese Police, this country still has a Sinhalese Army. It will be the end of all [Muslims] if a Muslim at least lays a finger on a Sinhalese,” he said.

The Bodu Bala Sena then proceeded to the Dharga Town area by a vehicle convoy. People in the area pelted stones at the convoy, triggering clashes. Several were injured.

Police declared curfew after clashes started, and deployed police and Special Task Force personnel to control the situation. Curfew which was initially held in Aluthgama then extended to the Beruwala police area, and will be in place till further notice, according to the Police Media Spokesman. Police and Special Task Force reinforcement were reportedly brought in from multiple police stations in the region.

Deputy Minster Faizer Mustapha, who played a pivotal role during the previous tensions in Colombo, was trapped inside Naleemia Islamic School, as mob surrounded the premises. Special Task Force was on the ground attempting to secure the Deputy Minister’s safety. (Update: See Reuters report on the minister being trapped)
In a seemingly related incident Harcourts Pharmacy in Dehiwala has been pelted with stones, minor damages to the shop front. No torching as suggested by earlier reports.

BBC Sinhala has published a video that captures the situation in Aluthgama. Curfew is now in force from Aluthgama to Beruwala, unverified reports of clashes continued to emerge.

Editor’s Note: Whilst there is a no media blackout as yet, the amount of information flowing through the newspapers and television channels seem to be limited. We took the picture from BBC Sandeshaya. An earlier version of this story linked to Muslim families finding communal safety. This was subsequently removed due to difficulties in ascertaining the authenticity of the photo.